News Desk
LAHORE:
The Upper Room Pakistan, the country’s first Christian business incubator, marked a significant milestone on Friday with the graduation of its inaugural cohort. The ceremony celebrated 11 incubatees and six startups, underscoring a shift towards economic empowerment and entrepreneurship within Pakistan’s Christian community.
Established with the goal of promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career path for Christian youth, The Upper Room challenges decades of occupational patterns that have traditionally limited the community to service-based roles. The initiative positions business creation as a vehicle for faith-driven innovation and social inclusion.
The graduating cohort included participants from Lahore, Multan, and interior Sindh, reflecting diverse regional and professional backgrounds. The six startups presented were:
1. Rockage Paints
2. DuraSleek
3. ARK Productions
4. Cineotic Lab
5. Cosani
6. Cinemagik
At the event, graduates shared how the program helped them integrate their faith with professional ambition. “My identity as a Christian was strengthened through the program,” said Elisha Asghar, founder of DuraSleek. “I gained a deeper understanding of how my faith intersects with my work.”
Rassif Emmanuel, CEO of ARK Productions, described the experience as transformative. “As a student, I’ve learned far more than I ever imagined. The support I received has inspired me to pursue my business seriously.”
The graduation ceremony drew guests from various sectors including religious institutions, academia, non-profits, and the tech industry. Notable attendees included:
Pastor Shehzad Gill, Senior Chaplain to the President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan
Pastor Robinson Sajid, Chairman, The Peacemakers
Yaser Awan, Director, Takhleeq Incubator at University of Central Punjab
Abdul Manan Abid, CEO, Code Coy
Haroon Akhtar, CEO, Tech Verticles
Sidra Sajid, Director, Grace Believer Society
Kiran Shehzad, Principal, Saint Mary’s Girls College
Accad Emmanuel, Director, AEMM Productions
Partnerships with mainstream incubators like the National Incubation Center (NIC) and UCP’s Takhleeq Incubator have broadened the initiative’s reach, linking Christian-led startups to the national entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition, a mentorship collaboration with tech firm Euphoria XR played a significant role in the cohort’s development.
“When we joined The Upper Room to train incubatees, we didn’t expect much,” said Euphoria XR CEO Ali Ahmed. “But they’ve shown tremendous resilience. Their success has encouraged us to expand our support for more Christian entrepreneurs.”
Several incubatees are now gaining recognition beyond the community. Some are collaborating with platforms like PG Ramzaar, which covers prominent cultural events including Coke Studio productions.
“The Upper Room isn’t just a training center—it’s a bridge,” said Danish Riaz, CEO of Rockage Paints. “It helps Christian youth enter the mainstream business environment with confidence and competence.”
Founder Mahrukh Saman Lal emphasized that what began as a pilot initiative has grown into a sustained movement. “The incubator has become a platform of acceptance and purpose,” she said. “We’re not just developing business skills—we’re nurturing Christian entrepreneurs grounded in faith and ready to serve the nation.”
With its first cohort now graduated, The Upper Room Pakistan plans to expand its reach, aiming to further support minority youth in becoming active contributors to Pakistan’s economic and innovation landscape.